xanh xao
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: - Very pale: Describes a person's complexion, particularly their face or skin, that has lost its healthy, natural color, appearing unnaturally pale, often with a slight greenish or sickly tinge. This condition is typically associated with illness, fatigue, shock, or poor health.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Sau trận ốm nặng, khuôn mặt cô ấy trông rất xanh xao. (After the serious illness, her face looked very pale.)
- Anh ấy có làn da xanh xao vì thiếu ngủ và làm việc quá sức. (He has pale skin due to lack of sleep and overwork.)
- Đứa trẻ trông xanh xao và yếu ớt. (The child looks pale and weak.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "xanh xao" is almost exclusively used to describe human complexion and is a strong indicator of poor physical condition. It is more specific than simply "pale" (nhợt nhạt), as it often implies a concerning, unhealthy state.
Variants and Related Words
Tái mét (adj): ashen, deathly pale (often from shock or fear).
- Nghe tin dữ, mặt anh ta tái mét đi. (Upon hearing the bad news, his face turned ashen.)
Nhợt nhạt (adj): pale, pallid (can be used more broadly than "xanh xao").
- Màu sơn đã phai thành một màu nhợt nhạt. (The paint has faded to a pale color.)
Synonyms
- Pallid: lacking color, especially from illness.
- Wan: pale and giving the impression of illness or exhaustion.
- Ashen: of a pale gray color, like ash (often from shock).
Related Idioms
- Mặt xanh như tàu lá: Face as green as a banana leaf (a vivid simile for being extremely pale or sickly).
- Cậu bé sốt cao, mặt xanh như tàu lá. (The boy had a high fever, his face was as green as a banana leaf.)